How do we react when things get difficult in our lives? Do we fold up under pressure? Do trials and tribulations bring on a panic? Do persecutions make us want to quit, or do they draw us closer to the Lord instead, and make us determined to carry on with His strength? This is a question that is addressed in our passage today from the Book of Hebrews.
The Book of Hebrews was written primarily to Christians who were from a Jewish or Hebrew background. When they became believers in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Messiah, many of them faced very strong hostility and often persecution from other Jews, which at times included their own families. There was a lot of pressure by former friends and family to return to following the Law of Moses and the Jewish faith, and some of them were doing just that. This epistle to the Hebrews was written to counter this growing apostasy, and is addressed in today’s reading.
This is still a problem today, whether we come from a Jewish background or not. When we turn to Jesus, and claim Him as our Savior, very often our family and friends do not understand, and there can be antagonism towards us and our new faith. Sometimes it is nothing more than teasing and wisecracks. Sometimes friends or co-workers try to lure us back into some wild and crazy behavior we have given up since coming to the Lord. In other cases the persecution may be much stronger, such as our family completely disowning us. In some countries one can lose their job, be arrested, or worse.
In our passage today the author encourages the believers to whom he’s writing to that they persevere in their faith and conduct, especially when facing persecution and pressure (vs 32-36). After these Hebrew Christians became enlightened with the truth they started to suffer because of it. Some became offended and started to fall away. They became a “spectacle” to others, an allusion to the theater. They are observed by everyone, and exposed to disgrace and ridicule. It wasn’t easy for these people to endure what they were going through, and often it’s not for us, today, either.
When Satan attacks us, it can be harsh and brutal, and not easy to stand up to. He tries to get us to doubt God’s promises (vs 35 - 36). He will also try to prevent us from doing God’s will, and receiving our reward. Rather than giving up during times of great stress, if we instead turn to God, we may feel His presence more clearly. Jesus is with us in our sufferings. We need to be faithful to God. Obedience will bring His blessings.
Do not abandon your faith in times of persecution. Many of the Hebrews this author was writing to had done just that, going back to their old beliefs, and more were being tempted to. They were tempted to run away and give up their faith in Jesus. They were tempted to throw away all outward identification with Jesus and apostatize. We may feel the same temptation. If following Jesus only brings us ridicule from family, friends, and co-workers, many are tempted to give it up. We stop attending church, praying, and reading our Bible. Our author encourages us to not give up. Don’t give up because our eternal reward is closer than ever.
The judgment of verse 31 is for those who reject God’s mercy. For those who have accepted Jesus and His salvation, the coming judgment is no worry. We have nothing to fear, so don’t turn back. It is faith which pleases God (vs 38). Those who draw back from the knowledge of the Gospel and faith will prove his apostasy. “Perdition” (vs. 39) is everlasting punishment or judgment of unbelievers.
In the face of whatever type of persecution we may go through, let us show by our endurance that our faith is real. Faith is resting in what Christ has done for us in the past. It also means trusting Him for what He will do in the present and in the future. Jesus will return one day to put an end to all of our suffering.
No comments:
Post a Comment